Tape cutting device



Oct. 13, 1953 P. VAN CLEEF TAPE CUTTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1949Patented Get. 13,

UNITED PATEL-N11 *QFFICEL sclaimsz (61.164-845) Th se t in enti nrelates ne a 9 c? 'i 1 ti l? e i f t v l and h vices for cutting ta pe';M91?" particularly the; p'e pect it'ie s} (ff-1a; taifiecuttin'g' flevicen n rele ee t hat e Qt dev. .e W. i ilh 1% em o i fi n: ecifi al de ine i9; wi h tar)? in r ls. 'q i t h fii the i i Qr e a e hat L tweer Fii 'l'll' "a -l6 a l f tape; round a f w re and has 7 @lfidIillustrating" the l h ur a e a coa in 9515MB senslye F 7. efin d e Q l t.9.1 P t-9 thfdevi'ebp'ft t t. T .l9- at Mb I 9 5 'l i le Of @1 hat iisslid'ab ther mund ilr ig un ies i qr'epr d mi e f r' d en th i ape sesan ute p t e iyl n n a eme t w l} t-he'outermost tabenonvolut'icii andainjnner pert e", fq fiectively'; tcp and bot- Of al ijaL-p' cuttindevice Y t o'f theinvntibn; n in sliding en ag ment wit he'rinner 6 i @Fi l sl i i l ce' of of t e e, a id emb'oldise 9. 1 9 3 a t ,g-

in l fi 'h rbllfilape; f transversely gm semeqpr m m-meme e 'ur m re nes" flop n edge whereby the inner or attached t'crn fie p'ectiiie W g'fa. tape ciitting' device un ng m jeicl t #9 3 V r e lfif l o n nr d V ofthe tape in ro11'fr1'n'er01 ind'th I iire'9f' is a} sige Viewillu'st'rting the device One object of the invention 1s to N Of Flgli S'7' m cijeritiv relation with a, t g e ce hish' cwhi i my??? e aiv'e t 1ri f e' H ent up n a iast r ai ad a tag 0Y6? l v. Whlbhls w lpFigufeS '1d 3 previously designed; gi evicesjcrthg ga nnfpurggge Q? the dr Wifigce'ri titiites" one fbr'm of the"iIi'-' and is characterizedby the factthat the Sitter veriticgi, 151 hdthtedfbfuse in connecticn'with n innerparts therebfa l onne t" he? 59 9 ,ITIPSETWS'EELS'Q medium forum byelastic means in order th" the puter ,partis f e y 'w l 'sbf tape tromthe roll and automatically pulled or grawfn tbwgrggthgjnngr cd i'fsistsj of Hit three" elements, namely} an cuter part as the size of ther911 prpgregsively decreases p'f f 1 i 'l r D afid an elastic con inconnection with'removgtl offlen th t I Ii'e gfi elemenv l4ptweenthecuter and inner Another object oftjn in nt R QY e 1 S; l heteperc :u'emb'odi sen ennhler corea tape cutting device of the las't'men ned fsfifi cbinpfetivqythick cardboard or other acterinwhich the ela spmezinsii nolding m1 l iitb1eme namne nie tape u is wound in connectingthe outer and inner perte tggethef 9 1 for a; the ccr el fiend has on'its is in the form of' an'ordinar'y rubber and hit-hf l h' w-c atiile0fpr suresensitive per has its side porticns operetil M "ccnnecte p e v Va i A tz'ai bkfiiihefstvsl When it is ple'sire'ct to of the parts'anditsrounded enq'pqrt ns ppergremove-=2; length cf tape frcm the rcll theouter endo'f the thine i s grespd erig' pulled'a'vtajy fromthe'fcbi'eyalrid at the "a" e"time'thero11 is'dot'ated length; pf tapeis lirjl'wou'fid; 'her' crat't sched end of' the un ut from thereifiainder" of the pert -o'f the ron l0; as weu' uncf the device ofFigures 1-,2 eharcterand preferably ihz rrietil stmnine and consists aan n .11% ect ti ti" 0; th 1. t9 wa w a t lil-lfiafidia r 'w cuttingdevice willb eepparent jrpfgn giccn qe'rg; device s s operative pbitio'ntion of the fc11cwingfdetgi1egfgl ciiptio d v 'e i ftr part' li is' inlid The inventicncongigis he sev A i n g" gliliggdg ill lf l 1 h? Qli r'cbniic'hit'icnhf ture which are hereinafte seti fprth'e, g the tjp'e Hinorder 'tht it i c15ab1ecf being m r r i la lyisl fiilfid b it the z se sr itculn ere l with new t t r6 clusion hereof. The qytcf'partfi iethe si rr'g e \z'liii'tf-l et's the In t in 'w ich" e the c terpart'isnea apart of this specificgt io; tang-li-ler aii fl'at'ahd hesutcehti'etpbr'ticndewhich like numera s of "reference ote tlon. The frontwall I! of the outer part I 2 is connected to, and extends downwards andforwards from, the front margin of the top wall [6. The lower margin ofthe front wall is bent outwards so as to fit slidably against thesubjacent portion of the outermost convolution of the tape. It is shapedto provide a serrated or tooth-equipped cutting edge 20 which extendstransversely across the tape and serves as a severing medium orinstrumentality for the inner end of the unwound length of tape. Therear wall 18 of the outer part I2 is connected to, and extends downwardsand rearwards from, the rear ans-dais margin of the top wall 16 and isthe same in height as the front wall. the rear wall is bent outwards soas to fit slidably against the subjacent portion of the outerconvolution of the tape.

The inner part I3 of the device of and 3 is adapted to extendtransversely across and to engage slidably the inner periphery of thecore 15. It is preferably formed of a one-piece sheet metal stamping andconsists of an elongated flat strip 2|, the ends of which are bentdownwards and inwards to form a pair of opposed inwardly extending books22.

The elastic element 44 serves yieldingly to connect the outer and innerparts l2 and I3 of the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3. It is in the formof an ordinary rubber band and consists of side portions 23 and curvedor rounded end portions 24. The intermediate parts of the side portions23 fit within, and extend lengthwise of, the channel is in the centralportion of the top wall l6 and the end parts of said side portionsextend inwards across the sides of the tape roll H! as shown in Figure3. The curved end portions 24 of the rubber band that constitutes theelastic element [4 are looped around the hooks 22 on the ends of thestrip 2 I. The length of the rubber band is such that the band, whenconnected in place, is under tension and hence serves to draw or pulltogether the outer and inner parts. When a length of tape is removedfrom the roll 10 as hereinbefore described the device of Figures 1, 2and 3 slides around the roll due to the action of the tape leaving theroll. After the desired length of tape has been removed the outer part[2 is pressed firmly against the roll and the unwound length of tape isthen pulled to one side so that its inner or attached end is cut by theserrated or tooth-equipped edge of the lower margin of the front wall H.The elastic element It operates automatically to pull or draw the outerpart 12 towards the inner part 13 as the size or diameter of the roll l0progressively decreases in connection with removal of lengths of tape(see dotted lines in Figure 3). The intermediate parts of the sideportions 23 of the elastic element rest on the bottom of the channel l9and are held against lateral displacement with respect to the outer part12 as a result of engagement with the channel sides. By confining theintermediate parts of the side portions of the elastic element in thechannel the element as a whole operates to cause the inner part 13 toslide conjointly with the outer part when the outer part is movedcircumferentially with respect to the roll in connection with removal ofa length of tape from the roll.

The device of Figures 2 and 3 effectively a efficiently fulfills itintended purpose and, due to its construction, may be manufactured orproduced at an extremely low cost. It may be applied or mounted in placewith facility and is The lower margin of Figures 1, 2

4 characterized by the fact that the elastic element l4 servesautomatically to draw the outer part l2 toward he inner part as the rollof tape diminishes in diameter. After the tape of the roll I0 isexhausted the device may be applied to another roll merely by unhookingone of the end portions 24 of the elastic element from its hook. Thisreleases the outer and inner parts so that they may be withdrawn fromthe roll and then applied to another roll. Application of the device toa new roll of tape is effected by placing the outer part 12 against theouter convolution of the tape and the inner part against the innerperipheryof the core and then looping over the hooks 22 the end portionsof the rubber band that constitutes the elastic element l4.

' The device which is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawingconstitutes a second embodiment of the invention and is illustrated inconnection with a tape roll 25. It serves the same purpose as, andfunctions similarly to, the tape cutting device of Figures 1, 2 and 3.The roll 25 is the same as the roll H3 and comprises an annular core andan elongated strip of tape which is wound spirally around the core andhas on its inner surface a coating of pressure sensitive, permanentlytacky adhesive. The device of Figures 4, 5 and 6, like the device ofFigures 1, 2 and 3, consists of an outer part, an inner part and anelastic element. The latter are designated in the drawings,respectively, by the reference numerals 26, 21 and 28.

The outer part 25 is preferably in the form of a sheet metal stampingand consists of a bottom wall 29, a front wall 30 and a back wall 31.The bottom wall is fiat and rectangular and engages slidably theoutermost convolution of the tape forming a part of the roll 25. It isthe same in width as the tape and has its central portion upwardlydeformed in order to provide a hollow, full width rib 32. The latter isof inverted U-shaped cross section, has open ends and is disposed midwaybetween the front and rear margins of the bottom wall 23. The front wall30 of the outer part 26 is connected to, and extends upwards andrearwards from, the front margin of the bottom wall 29. It is disposedat approximately a 60 angle with respect to the bottom wall and has itsupper margin shaped to form a serrated or tooth-equipped cutting edge 33which extends transversely of the roll and is located an appreciabledistance above the outermost convolution of the tape. The rear wall 3|of the upper part 26 is connected to, and

extends upwards and forwards from, the rear margin of the bottom wall29. It is disposed at substantially a 60 angle with respect to saidbottom wall and has at its upper margin a downwardly and forwardlyextending integral extension 34 which is disposed directly behind andserves to reenforce the front wall 30 against flexure in a rearwarddirection. When a length of tape is unwound or withdrawn from the roll25 and then swung or folded rearwards so that its inner end extendsacross the serrated cutting edge 33 and the upper margin of the frontwall 30 of the upper part 26 sidewise pulling of the tape will result inits inner or attached end bein cut by said edge. By having the cuttingedge 33 disposed at an appreciable distance from the outermost tapeconvolution the outer end of the tape on the roll 25, i. e., the tapeend that remains after unwinding and cutting of a length of tape,extends upwards across the front wall 30 and hence forms a tab which maybe readily rasped in connection with unwinding and cutting the nextlength of tape from the'roll. The upstanding rib 32 on the centralportion of the bottom wall 2-9 defines with the lower margin of thefront wall an opentop and ended full width channel and forms with thelower margin of the rear wall 3| an open top and ended full widthchannel 36.

The inner part 2! of the tape cutting device of Figures 4, 5 and 6extends across and engages sl-idably the inner periphery of the core ofthe roll 2-5 and is the same in design and construction as the innerpart{3 cfthe tape cutting de vice of Figures 1, 2 and 3;. It is preferablyin the form of a one-piece-sheet metal stamping and comprises anelongated, flat, rectangular strip 31, the ends of which are bentdownwards and inwards to form a pair of opposed hooks 38.

The end-less elastic element 28 serves yieldingly to connect togetherthe outer and inner parts 26 and 21. It is in the form of an ordinaryrubber band and consists of' a pair of side portions- 39 and a pair ofcurved or roundedend portion 40. The central parts of the side portions39 are disposed within, and extend lengthwise of, the channels 35 and36' on opposite sides of the upstanding rib' 32- and the endparts of theside portions 39 extend inwards across the sides of the roll 25, asshown in Figure 6 of the drawing. The

curved or rounded end portions 40 of the rubber band constituting theelement 28 are looped or hooked around the hooks 38 at the ends of thestrip 37'. The element 28 functions in the same manner as the elasticelement [4 of the cutting device of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and serves toconnect the outer and inner parts 26 and 21 together for conjointsliding movement circumferentiall y with respect to the roll and alsoautomatically to draw or pull the outer part towards the inner part asthe roll of tape decreases in size or diameter in connection withremoval of lengths of tape therefrom. The tape cutting device of'Figures 4, 5 and 6 has the same advantages and characteristics as thedevice of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and is the same as the last mentioneddevice except for the form or design of the outer part 26.

The cutting device which is shown in Figures '7, 8 and 9 constitutes athird embodiment of the invention. It is illustrated in connection witha conventional tape roll 4|, functions in the same man er as he devi eoi E eur s 1. 2 a d and the e ice of u s 5 a d. 6. a con is s of anouter part 42, an inner part 43 and an endless elastic element 44. Theouter part 42 is preferably in the form of a one-piece sheet metalstamping and comprises a flat, rectangular plate 45 which when thedevice is in its operative position engages slidably the outermostconvolution of the tape of the roll 4|. The width of the plate issubstantially the same as the tape. The front margin of the plate 45 isshaped to form a serrated or tooth-equipped cutting edge 46 whichextends transversely across the tape and serves the same purpose as thecutting edge 20 of the cutting device of Figures 1, 2 and 3. The ends ofthe side margins of the plate 45 are bent upwards and inwards in orderto form four inwardly extending hooks 41 at'the corners of the plate.The intermediate portions of the side margins of the plate 45 are bentdownwards to form depending flanges 48 which are in straddled relationwith the sides of the roll of tape and serve to guide the plate inconnection with movement circumferentially of the roll and also to holdthe '6 plate against lateral or sidewise displacement with respect tothe rolh' The inner part 43 extends transversely across and engagesslidablythe inner periphery of the core of the tape roll 4fl. It ispreferably in the form of a one-piece sheet metal stamping and consistsof a rectangular plate 49, the central portion of which is downwardlybent or deformed to form a full width, depending rib 5B. The frontandrear margins of the plate 48- are bent downwards and define with thesides ofthe rib 50 two spaced apart, open ended channels 5|. The latterface downwards and have open bottoms.

The elastic element 44 is the form or an ordinary rubber bandandconsists of side portions 5t and end portions 52'. The intermediateparts of the side portions 51 are disposed within, and extend lengthwiseof, the channels 50* and the end parts. or the side portions 5| extendoutwards across the sides of the tape roll 4|. The end portions of theelastic element 44 extend. lengthwise of the side. margins of the plate45 constituting the outer part 42- and are arranged; in hooked or loopedrelation'wi-th the upwardly and inwardly extending hooks 4-1 at thecorners of the plate 425. The-elastic element 44 serves. the samepurpose as the elastic element I4 01" the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3and the elastic element 28 of the tape cutting device of Figures 4, 5and 6. It serves operativel y to connect the outer and inner parts 42and 43 for conjoint sliding movement around the roll of tape and alsoautomatically to draw or pull the outer part toward the inner part inconnection with progressive decrease in the size or diameter of the roll4| due to removal oi lengths of tape from the roll.

The device of Figures 8 and 9, as heretofore indicated, functions in thesame manner as the device of Figures l, 2 and 3 and the device ofFigures 4, 5- and -G. In addition, it possesses the same advantages andcharacteristics.

The invention is not to be understood as irestri'cted to the details setforth since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.-

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. As a new article ofmanufacture, a device designed for use inconnection with an open center rollof tape, adapted when a length oftape is unwound from the roll and properly manipulated with respect tothe device to cut the inner end of the length, and comprising an outerpart extending across, and circumferentially and bodily slidable on, theoutermost convolution of the tape and provided with a tape cutting edge,an inner part extending across, and circumferentially and bodilyslidable on, the inner periphery of the roll, one of the parts having anopen ended channel formation formed therein and extending completelythereacross and from one side of the roll to the other, and the other ofsaid parts being provided adjacent the sides of the roll with opposedhooks and elastic means extending between the two parts, arranged toconnect said parts together for conjoint sliding movement relatively tothe roll and also automatically to pull or draw the outer part towardsthe inner part as the roll decreases in size due to removal of lengthsof tape therefrom, and consisting of a single rubber band embodying sideportions and end portions between the ends of the side portions andhaving the intermediate parts of its side portions disposed within,extending lengthwise through, and in laterally interlocked relationwith, the channel formation of the one part, the end parts of said sideportions extending substantially radially across the sides of the roll,and its end portions looped around, and detachably connected to, thehooks of said other part.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a device designed for use inconnection with an open center roll of tape, adapted when a length oftape is unwound from the roll and properly manipulated with respect tothe device to sever the inner end of the length, and comprising an outerpart extending transversely across, and circumferentially and bodilyslidable on, the outermost convolution of the tape, provided with a tapecutting edge at its front portion, and having formed therein an openended, full width channel formation, an'inner part extending across, andcircumferentially and bodily slidable on, the inner periphery of theroll and provided adjacent the sides of the roll with opposed hooks, andelastic means extending between the two parts, arranged to connect saidparts together for conjoint sliding movement relatively to the roll andalso automatically to pull or draw the outer part towards the inner partas the roll decreases in size due to removal of lengths of tapetherefrom, and consisting of a single rubber band having theintermediate parts of its side portions disposed in, extendinglongitudinally through, and laterally interlocked with, said channelformation in the outer part, the end parts of said side portionsextending radially inwards across the sides of the roll, and its endportions looped around the hooks on the inner part.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a device designed for use inconnection with an open center roll of tape, adapted when a length oftape is unwound from the roll and properly manipulated with respect tothe device to sever the inner end of the length, and comprising an outerpart extending across, and circumferentially and bodily slidable on, theoutermost convolution of the tape and embodying a top wall spaced fromsaid outermost convolution and having formed therein a depending, openended,

full width channel, a front wall connected to, and extending downwardsand forwards from, the front margin of the top wall and provided at itslower margin with a tape cutting edge, and a rear wall connected to, andextending downwards and rearwards from, the rear margin of the top wall,an inner part extending across, and circumferentially and bodilyslidable on, the inner periphery of the roll and provided adjacent thesides of the roll with opposed, inwardly extending hooks, and elasticmeans extending between the two parts, arranged to connect said partstogether for conjoint sliding movement relatively to the roll and alsoautomatically to pull or draw the'outer part towards the inner part asthe roll decreases in size due to removal of lengths of tape therefrom,and consisting of a rubber band having the intermediate parts of itsside portions disposed within, and extending lengthwise through, thechannel, the end parts of said side portions extending inwards acrossthe sides of the roll and its end portions looped around, and detachablyconnected to, the hooks on the inner part.

4. A new article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 wherein the outerpart is provided with a bottom wall positioned in sliding engagementwith the outermost convolution, which wall has said open ended channelformation therein and extending completely thereacross, a front wallconnected to, and extending upwards and rearwards from, the front marginof the bottom :all and provided at its upper margin with a tape cuttingedge, and a back wall connected to and extending upwards from, the rearmargin of the bottom wall and wherein the inner part is providedadjacent the sides of the roll with opposed inwardly extending hooks.

5. A new article of manufacture as described in claim 1 wherein theouter part comprises a substantially flat plate positioned tangentiallywith respect to the roll, which plate is provided with upwardly andinwardly extending hooks located adjacent to its side margins, andwherein the inner part is provided with said open ended channelformation formed therein and extending thereacross from one side of theroll to the other.

PAUL VAN CLEEF.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 0Number Name Date 251,871 Hale Jan. 3, 1882 353,627 Devore Nov. 30, 1886947,997 Riley Feb. 1, 1910

